Fabricated derrick



C. B. FOSTER FABRICATED DERRIK Filed July 17. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1lill,"

imi A A 1.7; lsza C. B. FOSTER FABRICATED DERR I C K Filed July 17. 1926I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

April 17, 1928 C. B. FOSTER FABRICATED DERRIGK Filed July 1*?. 1926 3Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.y

Patented Apr. 17, 1928.

vnarran srATEs PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE B. FOSTER, OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-SIXTH TOFREDERICK L. FEISTEIAMEL, ONE-SIXTH T0 ARTHUR J. CARR, AND ONE-SIXTH TOTHOMAS A. COLLINS, ALL OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

FABRICATED DERRICK.

Application filed J'uly 17, 1926.' Serial No. 123,137.

This invention relates to improvements in fabricated derriclrs, and isparticularly directedto the general class of derrick structures usuallyemployed in the drillingand operating of oil, gas and like wells.

More specifically, the present invention is directed to certainimprovements in the construction ofthe type of panel derriclr disclosedin my co-pending application Serial No. 123,136, and has for an objectto provide an improved method of constructing the several' panels,adapting them for connection to the adjacent panels at the corners ofthe derrick independently of the removable corner leg members, so as toprovide a derrick structure which will be self sustaining before saidcorner leg members are applied or after they are removed and without itbeing necessary to apply substitute cornerconnections or joint plates,although such substitute corner connections may be applied foradditional strength, if desired.

Another object is-to so connect the adjacent panels as to provide a morestable structure, especially againsthorizontal and torsional strains.

A further object is to provide a structure which may be easily andquickly erected to form a heavy duty drilling` derrick, and which maysubsequently be readily and quickly converted to a lighter derriclrsuitable for use as a pumping derriclr.

Various other objects and advantages will be more fully apparent fromthe following description of the accompanying drawings which form a partof this disclosure. and which illustrate a preferred form of embodimentof the invention.

' Of the drawings:

Fig. l is an elevation of a drilling derrick constructed in accordancewith the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan section, partly broken, taken on line QMQ ofFig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective of a corner of the derrick viewed asindicated by the arrou7 3 in Fig. 2.

Fig. l is partial vertical section taken on line lf-l of Fig. 2. i

Fig. 5 is a plan section taken on line 5x16 of Fi 4, i

Fig. 6 is an el-evation of one of the panel sections.

Fig. 7 is a plan section, similar to Fig. 2, showing the substitution ofthe joint plates for the corner' leg members when the construction isconvertedto constitute a pumping 'derricln Fig. S is a perspective view,similar to Fig. 3, of a corner of the pumping derrick.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan section illustrating a modified form ofconstruction, and

10 is a fragmentary perspective View of the construction shown in 9 andviewed as indicated by the arrow l0 therein.

As illustrated in the drawings, eachof the four sides of the derrick isformed of a plurality of panel sections secured together in verticalalignment, with the several panel sections of'suitable dimensions toproduce a completed derriclr gra-dually tapering upwardly to the topupon which will be mounted the usual crown block.

The respective panels of eachside may be exact duplicates of those ofthe other three sides and in the erection of the derrick the panels arearranged in tiers or stories one upon the other with the four panels ofeach tier horizontally aligned, thus permitting all four panels of eachtier being of the same relative size so they may be interchangeable aswell as readily adaptable for standardization.

lith this construction each tier is finished l to a horizontal levelthuseliminating the necessity of providing two short panels at the bottomand top of the derrick as is required in a panel derrick in which thepanels of adjacent sides are arranged in break-joint relationship.

lVhilethe several panels of the derrick are herein described as being ofduplicate character, this has more particular reference to the majorportion of the derrick, it being evident to'those skilled in the oilindustry that the lower panels will necessarily be somewhat modified toaccommodate the walking-beam, draw-works and other portions of thedrilling or pumping equipment and also that suitableprovisions will bemade for the derrick ladder, platform, waterable and crown-block, eter lThe several panels are of the construction shownin Fig. 6 of thedrawings, each panel including opposite marginal angle side members 11and 12 disposed vertically and at slightly converging anglescorresponding to the general taper of the completed derrick, lower'alndupper transverse marginal girts 13 and 11i, an intermediate transversegirt 15, a lower pair of diagonal sway braces 16 and 17, an upper pairot similar diagonal sway braces 18 nd 19, and lower and upper verticalhangers 2O and 21. The marginal side members 11 and 12 are arranged withtheir respective flanges 11a and 12n disposed towards each other in theplane ol the panel and with their respective adjacent flanges 11b and12b extended outwardly, land the respective llower and upper transversemarginal girts 13 and 1st are arranged with their respective verticalflanges disposed towards each other in the plane oit the panel and withtheir respective horizontal flanges eX- ltended inwardly.

All of the girts and sway braces are pret erably of angle form and theends of the several sway braces may be swaged to bring b-oth of theflanges thereof to parallel contact yto provide securing end-s of doublethickness, while the ends of the girts are not so swaged but have theirrespective horizontal flanges cut at 450 angles, as shown in Figs. 2, 3,5, and 7. The ends of the sway braces, the vertical flanges of the girtsand the flanges 11a and 12EL of the respective marginal side angles 11and 12 are suitably punched or bored to receive securing` rivets orbolts, the several rivets securing the parts of the panel together beingdesignated by reference characters consisting of a suffix added to thenumeral designating the respective parts they secure to the side angles11 and 12, thus the rivets 13a secure the transverse girt 13 to thelower ends of the side angles 11 and 12, the rivets 14a secure thetransverse girt 14 to the upper ends of said side angles, while therivets 15a, 16, 17a, 18, and 19a, respectively secure the intermediate`girt and the several sway braces to said side angles.

While it is evident and is clearly realized that the derrick may, ifdesired, be erected piece by piece, the preferred method to be followedvin practice will be to preassemble the several panels, leaving to thelield crew only the work of assembling these panels into a completederriclr. Therefore, l will for the purpose of this disclosure, limitthe description of the erection to the manner in which the severalpanels and their cooperating parts are secured together to form thecompleted structure, it being understood that the erection of theseveral tiers will be progressive from the bottom to the top of thestructure, and further that the panels of each tier will rest upon thelike panels of the next lower tier with the horizontal flanges of theirlower transverse marginal girts 13 contacting the horizontal flanges ofthe transverse marginal girts 14 of said next lower panels (see Fig.

Also, at this same level the side angles 11 and 12 of the panels of eachtier will abut upon the aligned side angles of the panels of the nextlower tier so that insofar as the panels themselves are concerned thoseof every tier are horizontally aligned.

ln theerection of the derriclr, the four panels of a tier will bepositioned upon those of the next lower tier and the horizontal flangesof their lower marginal girts 13 will be secured at suitable intervalsto the adjacent horizontal flanges of the upper inarginal girts 14 ofsaid next lower tier by bolts 22, (see Figs. 2 anl 'lhese marginal girls18 and lll are further secured together near each corner of the derriclra d connected to those of the adjacent panels by gusset plates 23 andbolts (see Figs. 2 and l), said gusset plates being respectivelypositioned above and below the horizontal flanges of said girts and thebolts 2st securg :id flanges and gusset plates rigidly together. ln asomewhat similar manner the intermediate girt 15 of each panel in a tieris joined to the lilre interi'nediate girts oit the panels of theadjacent sides of the dei-rick by gusset `plates 26 and bolts 27 (seeFigs, l and 5). Thus the several panels of each tier are connectedtogether at the corners of the dcrriclr and the panels of each tier arealso connected to those of the nextlower and upper tiers independentlyof any corner posts or leg members.

'llo complete the derrick for usejas a heavy duty drilling derrick therewill be provided angle corner posts or legs which extent/l throughoutthe full height of the several tiers at the wfour corners, said cornerlegs each preferably consisting of a jilurality ol angle sections 28abutting cach other end on end and positioned between and in intimatecontact with the respective side angles of the adjacent panels, therespective flanges of said leg sections 26 being secured to the flanges11h and l2 of said panel side angles at intervals throughout theirlengths by bolts 29, 30, and v31. lt will be noted that the severalangle sections 25% of each corner leg are preferably of uniform lengthand are arranged so that they break joint with the several tiers, thatis, the line 32 of abutment between the vertically adjacent leg sectionsyis opposite the intermediate girts 15 of the adjacent tier. This bringsthe leg angle sections iu vertically staggered relationship with theside angles of the panels.

The above described construction provides a dei-rick having all of itssides constructed ot complete pre-assembled panels, with the panels ofthe several sides arranged lll) in superposed tiers and With all of thepanels of each tier horizontally aligned and of the same size andcharacter and interchangeable one with another. Such a constructionprovides a derriclr ot great strength coupled With eXtreme relativelightness ot' the material required for its manufacture.

A feature of major importance incident to the construction abovedescribed, is its adaptability for conversion to a derrick of lighterconstruction capable ot use as a pumping derriclt. rllhis can be veryeasily and quickly accomplished-by removing the corner leg sections Q8and replacing them With short angle. joint-plates 33 (see Figs. 7 and 8)positioned adjacent the abutting ends otl the side angles ll and 12 ot'the adjacent panels and secured thereto by bolts 34, these boltsextending through the same bolt holes in said side angles as did thepreviously described bolts 29. The leg sections 28 so removed Willconstitute a very appreciable amountof salvage and can be subsequentlyutilized tov recondition the derrick as a drilling derrick or can beincorporated in a nevi7 derrick structure.

If thought desirable, additional joint-` plates 35 may be securedadjacent the respective intermediate girts by bolts 36 which extendthrough the same bolt holes as did the previously described bolts 3l,

In Figs. 9 and l0 there is illustrated a modified form of structure inWhich the angle side members of the panels have their anges 37 extendedinwardly and joined to the corner leg sections, or joint-plates as thecase may be, by bolts 38, the lhorizontal flanges of the transversegirts beingI connected by gusset plates 40 and bolts 4l.

While the structure herein illustrated and described is fully capable.ot fulfilling all of the objects primarily stated it is'to be understoodthat I do not Wish to restrict the presentinvention to the specificembodiment in various other forms all coming within the scope ot theclaims, which .follow.

I claim as myv invention:

1. In a derriclr of the nature disclosed, the combination of: adjacentsides each formed of a plurality ot vertically aligned completepre-assembled panel sections, with the panel sections of each sidelaterally spaced from those of the adjacent sides; intermediate cornerlegs disposed at the respective corners of the derrick and positionedbetween the horizontally adjacent panel sections; means for securingsaid legs to said panel sections to connectthev sides of the derriclrtogether; and means for connecting the panel sections of the adjacentsides ndependently of the intermediate corner legs.

v2. In a derrick of the nature disclosed, the combination of: adjacentsides each'formed ot' plurality of verticallv aligned completepre-assembled panel sections, with the panel sections of each sidelaterally spaced from those of the adjacent sides and with the panelsectionsot the several sidesk horizontally aligned in superposed storiesor tiers; intermediate corner legs disposed at the respective corners ofthe derrick and positioned between the horizontally adjacent panelsections; means for securing said legs to said panel sections to connectthe sides of the derrick together; and means for connecting the panelsections of the adjacent sides independently of the intermediate cornerlegs.

3. In a derrick of the nature disclosed, the combination of: adjacentsides each formed ot a plurality of vertically aligned completepre-assembled panel sections, With the panel sections of each vsidelaterally spaced from those of the adjacent sides and with the panelsections of the several sides horizontally aligned in superposed stories0r tiers; intermediate connecting corner elements disposed at therespective corners of the derriclr and positioned between thehorizontally adjacent panel sections and in break-joint relationshipthereto; means for securing said elements to said panel sections toconnect the sides of the derrick to. gether; and means for connectingthe adjacent sides independently of the intermediate corner elements.

4. In a derrick of the nature disclosed, the combination ot:'adjacentsides each formed of a. plurality of vertically aligned completepre-assembled panel sections, With the panel Asections 'of each sidelaterally spaced from those or" the adjacent sides, each panel sectionhaving opposed marginal side angles and transverse girts connecting saidside angles; intermediate angle corner legs disposed Vat the respectivecorners of the derriclr and positioned between the side angles of thehorizontally adjacent panel sections; means for securing said anglecorner legs to the associated panel sections to connect the sides of thederrick together, the side yangles of the adjacent panel sections andthe associated angle corner legs being arranged in baclr-to-baclrrelationship to form at each Corner of the derrick, a corner columnsubstantially cross-shape in cross section; and means for connecting theadjacent sides in-l dependently of the intermediate angle corner legs.

5. In a derrick of the nature disclosed, the combination of: adjacentsides each formed of a plurality of vertically aligned completepre-assembledpanel sections` with the panel sections of each sidelaterally spaced 'from those ot the adjacent sides and with the panelsections of the several sides horizontially aligned in superposedstories or tiers, each panel section having opposed marginal side anglesand transverse girts connecting said side angles; intermediate cornerlegs disposed at the respective corners ot the derrick and positionedbetween the side angles ofthe horizont-ally adjacent panel sections,each corner leg being comprised of a plurality ot vertically aligned legangles arranged in brealnjoint relationship to the respective stories ortiers; means tor securing the leg angles to the associated panelsections to connect the sides ot the derrick together, the side anglesot the adjacent panel Vsections and the associa-ted corner leg anglesbeing arranged in baclr-to-baclr relationship to form at each corner otthe derriclr, a corner column substantially cross-shape in cross withsaid girts secured at opposite ends to.

one flange ot each ot said side angles; intermediateangle corner legsdisposed at the respective corners ot the cerrick and positioned betweenthe side angles ot the liori zontally adjacent panel sections; means torsecuring said angle corner legs to the other flanges ot the associatedpanel sections to` connect the sides of the derrick together, the sideangles ot the adjacent panel sections and the associated angle cornerlegs being arranged in back-to-back relationship to form at each cornerof the derrick, a corner column substantially cross-shape in crosssection; and means tor connecting the adjacent sides of the derrickindependently of the intermediate corner legs.

7. ln a derrick ot the nature disclosed, the combination ot: adjacentsides each formed of a plurality of vertically aligned completepre-assembled panel sections, with the panel sections oil: each sidelaterally spaced trom those ot the adjacent sides and with the Vpanelsections ot the several sides horizontally aligned in supeiposed storesor tiers, each panel section having opposed marginal side angles andtransverse girts connecting said side angles with said girts secured atopposite ends to one flange of each ot said side angles; intermediatecorner legs disposed `at the respective corners of the derrick andpositioned between the side angles ot' the horizontally adjacent panelsections, cach corner leg being comprised of a plurality of verticallyaligned leg angles arranged in break-joint relationship to therespective stories or tier; means for securing the leg angles to theother flanges of the associated panel sections to connect the sides otthe deraccenni riclr together, the side angles ot the adjacent panelsections and the associated angle corner legs being arranged to torni ateach corner ot the derriclr, a corner column substantially cross-shapein cross section; and means connecting the girts of each side with thecorresponding girts ot the adjacent sides independently of the legangles.

8. ln a derrich ol the nature disclosed, the combination ot: adjacentsides each formed et' a plurality ot vertically aligned completepre-assembled panel sections, with the panel sections ot each sidelaterally spaced from those et the adjacent sides and with the panelsections et the several sides horizontally aligned in superposed storesor tiers each eX- tendedl to a horizontal level, each panel sectionhaving opposed marginaly side angles and lower and upper transversemarginal girts connecting said side angles with said lower transversegirt secured at opposite ends to the respective lower ends ot said sideangles and with said upper transverse girt secured at opposite ends tothe respective upper ends ot' said side angles; intermediate anglecorner legs disposed at the respective corners ot the derrick andpositioned between the side angles ot the horizontally adjacent panelsections; means tor connecting the lower transverse girt ot each panelsection ot' each side of the der rick to the upper transverse 4girt otthe next lower panel section; independent means tor securing the angiecorner legs to the associated panel sections to connect the sides ot thederriclr together', the side angles ot the adjacent panel sections andthe associated angle corner legs being arranged inback-toback-relationship to torni at each corner ot the derricl, acorner column substantially cross-shape in cross section; and means forconnecting the respective lowen and upper transverse girts of each sideot the dei-rick to the corresponding lower and upper transverse girts ofthe adjacent sides thereof, independently of the respective angle cornerlegs.

9. ln a derrick ot the nature disclosed, the combination ot: tourindependent sides each formed of a plurality of superposed panelsections with each panel sections secured to the vertically adjacentpanel sections; a separate corner leg at each respective corner of thederrick, disposed between the adjacent sides thereof and secured to theseveral panel sections comprising said adjacent sides to join said sidesto each other; and separate means tor connecting the adjacent sides ofthe derrick together, independently ot the corner legs, whereby saidcorner legs may be removed at any time, leaving a selt sustainingderrick structure. Y

10. In a derrick ot the nature disclosed, the combination ot: adjacentsides each formed ot a plurality of vertically aligned completepre-assembled panel sections, with the panel sections of each sidelaterally spaced from those of the adjacent sides, each panel havingopposed marginal side angles and transverse angle gifts connecting saidside angles with the vertical flanges oit said gifts secured at oppositeends to one flange of each of said side angles, the girts associatedwith each side of the derriclr being horizontally aligned with the likegifts of the adjacent sides; intermediate angle cor` ner legs disposedat the respective corners of the derrick and positioned between the sideangles of the horizontally adjacent panel sections; means for securingsaid angle corner legs to the other flanges ot the associted panelsections to connect the sides of the derrick together, the side anglesof the adjacent panel sections and the associated angle cornerlegs beingauanged in back-to-bacl relationship to form at each corner or' thedcrrick, a corner columnsubstantially crossshape in cross section; andhorizontal gusset plates connecting the horizontal flanges of the anglegirts of each side of the derrick to those of the adjacent sides,independently of the angle corner legs.

ll. In a derrick ot the nature disclosed, the combination of: adjacentsides each 'formed oi a plurality of vertically aligned completepre-assembled panel sections, with the panel sections of each sidelaterallv spaced from those of the adjacent sides and with the panelsections of the several sides horizontally aligned 1n superposed storiesor tiers each extended to a horizontal level,

each panel section having opposed marginal side angles and lower andupper transverse marginal gifts of angle form connecting said sideangles with the vertical flange ot' said lower transverse girt securedat opposite ends to the respective lower ends of said side angies andwith the vertical iiange of said npper transverse girt secured atopposite ends to the respective upper ends of said side angles;intermediate angle corner legs disposed at the respective corners of thederrick and positioned between the side angles of the horizontallyadjacent panel sections; means for connecting the lower transverse girtof each panel section of each side of the derficlr to the uppertransverse gift of the nent lower panel section; independent means forsecuring the angle corner legsfto the associated panel sections toconnect the sides oiP4 the derricl; together', the side angles of theadjacent panel sections and the associated angle corner legs beingarranged in baclr-to-back relationship to form at each corner oi theder-rick, a corner column substantially cross-shape in cross section;and horizontal gusset plates connecting the horizontal flanges of therespective lower and upper transverse Oirts of the panel sections ofeach side of the derriclr to the horizontal flanges of the like girtsor" the adjacent sides, independently of the angle corner logs.

In testimony whereof, 'I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles,California, this 8th day o'il July, 1926.

CLARENCE B. FOSTER.

